Process of and apparatus for automatic electric arc welding



June 30, 1925.

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Swlwwtoz Amfew Nm ik v @Vinex June 30, 1925. 1,544,044

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 7b 7' gwwnboz Witwe oo 'k/ l f ,im l

June 30, 1925.

A. SMITH PROCESS 0F AND-APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 lO SheeLS-Sheei, 5

Andrew /'mz'ih anne/mbox Witwe/.so

June 3o, 1925. 1,544,044

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed Marh 24, 1919 1o sheets-sheet 4 A. SMITH PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARG WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 30.11925. l

akker/m June 30, 1925. A. SMITH PROCESS oF AND APPARATUS EOE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC AEG WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 lu/vento: idrew 4f/milk v attoamu wwwa 'f" l n i June 30, 1925.

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARA-TUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet l'l gnventoz h ra/@772% June 30, 1925.

A. SMITH Pnocss oF AND APPARATUS FCR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDTNC Filed 'March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet B @mentor Affmw Yin fiz- C/LW 3?/ @Moi/nm,

Witwe/.so l S..

June 30, 1925.

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 lO Sheets-Sheet 9 rea/ Um ik 5mm/woz fmw/ June 30, 1925. 1,544,044

A. SMITH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING Filed March 24, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Cutler/m I Patented June 30, 1925.

v1,544,044 ori-icm ANDREW SMITH, O F SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ARC WELDING.

Application led March 24, 1919. Serial No. 284,528.

To all 'who-m it may concern:

lie, it known that I, ANDREW SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Mateo, in the county of San Mateo and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvenients` in Processes of and Apparatus for Automatic Electric Arc 'clding, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to a method of electric arc welding and apparatus therefor in which the entire seam, joint or weld is simultaneously brought to welding temperature and the metal then united along the entire length of the joint.

The methods of welding heretofore'in vogue may be designated as systems of progressive welding` the welding being eil'ected at one point and then moving progressively along the line of the weld. Oxy-acetylene welding, and of the. various systems of electric arc welding now in use. ln the coke gas system and the water gas system` short sections a few inches in length of the plates to bel welded are heated and then welded but the. process is a progressive Ollk.

One oi the greatest difficulties encountered in the ilse ot' the various systems of welding above. mentioned is due to the fact that the unequal temperatures and the mechanical pressures exerted at different times and at di'llerent places along the weld cause the metal to be unequally strained at different parts and these. internal molecular strains are locked or stored up in the body of the metal in a manner which cannot be eliminat'ed. This result is evident from a consideration of the actions taking place at each point along the welded seam. As each section of metal is heated it ex ands and the molecules subjected to the we ding temperature ale brought to a condition approaching the liquid state. After the weld` is made the metal shrinks, the shrinkage taking place more rapidly at each side of thejoint which results "in a drawing action upon tlievinore molten portion'at thecenter of the weld thereby leaving the central part under a strain. Then after'tli'e Cmetal has reached a solid state contraction takes'place and causes other strains. 'Furthermore,the section undergoing the Welding process with its resultant forces of expansion and contraction, transmits some of these forces to the adjacent Welded section.

This is true ofy Unc of the purposes of my invention is toovercome lthe defects above referred to in the ypresent methods of welding by subjecting the entire length of the weld to the heat ofthe electric arc so ,that all parts of the body of the metal are simultaneously sub-v jected to the same conditions, whereby I avoid the production of any inequal strains. I also prevent the strains and inequal conditions between the central and lateral portions ot' the welded joint by supplying a proper lquantity ofl heat units to the seam or joint during the transition period in which the 'shrinkage and contraction of the metal has heretofbre caused the development of internal molecular strains.

It has heretofore been proposed to mechanically move the arc along the joint by reciprocating mechanism, or in case of pipes by a rotating device and 1t has also been proposed to subject the are to the blowing action of a magnetic field. -In my copen ing application, Serial No. 857,227, now Patent No. 1.298.590, dated-March 25, 1919, I have disclosed the method of electric Welding in which the metal parts are first brought to a welding tem erature by an arc issuing from a fluid coo ed non-consum-l ing electrode and then to the action of an arc carrying fused globules of metal; and in said application I have also'disclosed the idea of oscillating the arc across the path of the joint. I have found thatthe mechanical movement of the electrodes along the joint or the shifting of the arc by moving the electrical connection'from one electrode to another does not produce the uniformity of heating action which is required toelfect a perfect weld. I have, therefore, dev1sed a method of automatically controlhng the arc and effecting its travel in a uniform and A unbroken passage 11i recurrent cycles under the directing influence of atravelling magnetic field which traverses the length of an extended electrode. 1

In describing my process of automatic electric arc welding and various forms of apparatus by which it may be carriedout, Isliallrefer to the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1' is an illustrative chart showing the different stages in the application of heat during the Welding process; Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing in conventional or diagrainmaticform a plurality of arc directing electrodes operating simultaneously upon the longitudinal jointv of a )in j pipe; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of my arc directing electrodes; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of another form of my arc directing electrode; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively, top plan, side elevation and end elevations of an arc v directing electrode for causing the arc to traverse a zigzag path; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line 10-1() of Fig. 8; Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively top plan and verticalsectional views of an arc directing electrode for causing the arc to traverse concentric circular paths, Fig. 12 being taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a sideelevation of an arc directing electrode adapted for light work; Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the same, partly broken away; Fig. 16 is a side elevation, broken away in part, of another form of arc directing electrode adapted for light Work; Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional yiew on the line 17-17 of Fig. 1G; Fig. 18 1s a side elevation of an arc directing electrode for directing an arc in a circular path around a pipe oi tubular metal structure;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18.; Fig. 20`is a top plan view of a plate form of arc directing electrode for fperating upon seams of various designs;

1g. 21 is a vertical sectional view on the line'21--21 of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 2l; Fig. is a diagrammatic view showing the 'welding and magnetic control circuits; Fig. 24 1s a front elevation of a four-panel switch control board; Fig. 25 is'a side elevation of o ne of the panel switches; Fig. 26 is a sectional view on the line.26-26 of Fig. 25; Fig. 27 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 27-27 of Fig. 24; Fig. 28 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is an enlarged front elevation of the resistance controlling solenoids; Fig. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary vlew on the line 30-30 of Fig. 27 ;A Fig. 31 1s a dlagrammatic view showing the manner of welding the parts of an oil car tank; Fig. 32 1s a side elevation partly of an oil storage tank and showing my method of welding the jolnts or seams in situ; and Fig. 33 is a diagrammatic illustration of my method of welding the parts of a metal barrel. A

The parts to be weld-united must first be brought up to a welding temperature by the heat of the electric arc, and then the application ofthe welding heat must be continued until the parts are Welded. The time required for the preheating period during which the metal is brought up to the welding temperature differs, of course, for different thicknessses of metal but the preheating and Welding periods are-approximately the .same

in len th. I prefer to apply the same strengtIi of current to the metal of the joint or seam to be welded during the heating as during the welding period, the latter being regulated in accordance with the thickness of the metal. There is no danger, therefore,

of burning the metal during or at the end of the preheating stage or period.

In prior methods of welding the application of heat is withdrawn upon the completion of the weld, that is at the end of the welding period and the welded parts are then permitted to cool. I have pointed out above the manner in which internal strains and stresses are produced during the shrinkage and contraction which takes place as the welded parts are cooling. I have also referred to the weakness which is produced in the center of the weld due to the fact that it remains in a molten state longer than the lateral parts. I overcome these defects in prior methods by supplying a low or small volume of current after the Welding stage for a certain period, which I designate the annealing stage or period, thereby sup lying the heat units which would be su denly withdrawn by conduction into the adjacent cooler parts of the body of the metal and thus permitting the weld to gradually assume a normal temperature and which have found prevents the formation of internal stresses and strains and also maintains the integrity of the center of the Weld. For instance, a current of 200 amperes may be used during the prheating and welding periods in a certain case and a current of amperes during the annealing period.

In Fig. 1 I have indicated diagrammatically the rise in temperature of the metal during the preheating period and then the maintenance of the Welding temperature during the weldin stage, these two stages being effected un er the application of a large amperage at the arc. Then follows the annealing period under the application of a low amperage current until the weld is gradually brought down to a temperature of I sav a re heat.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated my method of simultaneously heating the entire length of the joint or seam of the pipe to be welded by placing a series of arc directing electrodes thereover and causing an larc from each electrode to vibrate back and forth along the length of its electrode, all of the arcs moving in synchronism, so that the entire length of the joint is heated simultaneously and the weld is made in a unitary operation.

In Fig. 3' I have shown an electrode adapted for welding thick plates of metal, lthe bar from which the arc springs being water-cooled. The electrode comprises an upper continuous yoke bar 2 and separate lower pole pieces 3 connected by core rods 4 which pass through openings in the upper thereby decreasing its magnetic properties. VThe lower ends of the iron coresmay be Yio bar, yfitti'n snugl therein and are screwed into threa ed soc etsin the lower blocks 3,

`the upper ends being sijuared lfor the applii, ends to tubes `14 and 15 throiilgh which water constantly circulatesV for t e purpose of keeping ar cool to 1thereby maintain its l integrity.

welding current.

A terminal member 16 is connected to the upper bar 2, either by being formed integral therewith or by being bolted thereto as indicated iii Fig. v4', andV is provided with a coupling17, bywhich itmaybe connected tothe electric 'cable 18 which carries the The terminals 19 of the several solenoid coils are connected to the multiple conductor cable 20 which carries a low voltage current to energize the solenoids J inl 'proper sequence. so

I" may dispense. with the ymagnetic pole pieces 3 and projectthe lower ends of the magnet cores 4 lnto the water passage iii the copper Varcing bar 9 as in the forni shown in Figs. 5 and 6. rIhe ends of the coresv 4 are brought close tothe bottom of .the water passage for the purpose ofconducting the magnetic flux closely adjacent to the arcing point.` The constant flow of water through the water-passage prevents the pole-piece frornf becoming heated and electro-plated to prevent vrust where they roject into the water passage if desired.

heyma either fit tightly into the aiertures in tie arcing bar or be brazed or ot ierwise ,secured thereto. I may also provide a removable bottom plate 9l which may be replaced if itbeconies woi'n or scarred.

It is sometimes desirable tojcause the arc to traverse azigzag path, as when forming av lap-weld, and for this purpose I provide the construction illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10.

ranged to cause the circular series of solenoid coils to be energized in sequence and alternately around the inner and outer series. T e inlet water pipe 14 may terminate at its lower end in a double T arrangement the four branches terminating adjacent the outer wall of the circular water assage 12 as indicated by the arrows in iig. 11, so that the cool incoming water will reach all parts of the copper electrode.

lVhen a butt-weld is to be made between two sections of a pipe the arc directing electrode may be constructed in annular forni as indicated in Figs. 18 and 19 which will be readily understood as an adaptation vof the previously described constructions.

lVhcn the work to be welded is very light -and conse uently requiring less heat and a thc solid copper arcing bar 9" is provided y with lateral recesses which receive lags 23 projecting inwardly from the clamping plates 24, the latter being bolted together adjacent their lowcr ends and secured by screws at their u per ends to the yoke bar 2. The plates 24 also carry the welding current from the bar 2 to the copper bar 9".

Another form which may be used when the arcing current is not required to be very large is shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The magnetic cores 7 may be driven into the recesses iii the copper bar 9" with a tight fit and after theV magnet coils 7 have .been slipped over, the bar 2 is placed over the upper ends and the cores are secured by screws 6.

My iiicthod of welding is adapted to weld joints or seams of practically any configuration. In Figs. 20, 2l and 22 I have shown a form of electi'ode which may be used for welding the seams of any coiifiguration'in the saine plane. The arcing bar takes the forni of an extended hollow block 9K and which is provided with interior baille plates- 30 which cause the cooling water to circulate through any pai't of the water chamber 12. The solenoid magnets may be arranged on the upper side of the arcing block to conform to the shape or configuration of the joint to be welded and clamped or secured in position in-any suitableinanner. In Fig.

`2() I have shown the solenoids arranged to arcing distance between the casing and the electrode and can then be welded according to my method without difficulty. The ease with which the various shaped joints may be welded with an electrode apparatus of this construction will be appreciated by engineers.

To further illustrate the ready adaptability of my method of welding such structures of widely differing shapes and sizes, I have shown in Figs. 31, 32 and 33 the manner of forming a number of well known containers. In Fig. 31 I have shown the manner of welding the seams ol an oil tank such as used in transporting oil on railroads. The longitudinal seam `may be welded by using a series of electrode units of the type shown in Figs. l and 5, by placing them over the seam in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. I have merely illustrated diagrammatically a series ot solenoid coils along the line of the seam. 'l`he ends may be welded to the cylindrical body of the tank by rising an annular electrode ot the type illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. Liliewise, the dome can be welded by means ot an annular electrode with the solenoids arranged in a circular or ring form. I have deemed it sufiicient to merely indicate the position of the several electrodes by a diagrammatic illustration of a view of" the arcdirecting solenoids.

Fig. indicates the manner of welding the end plate ot a steel barrel, the position of the electrode being indicated merely by showing two of' the are. directing solenoids, the other parts being omitted for the sake of clearness.

My method of welding readily adapts itself for use in the field and consequently large structures can be shaped in parts or sections and then welded in situ at the place where they are to be used, thereby saving an enormous amount of' labor and expense in transportation. In Fig. 32 I have illustrated one form of oil tank in which the cylindrical body may be formed of longitudinal plates and the vertical joints or seams may be readily welded by my method. As in the two preceding figures, I have deemed it sufficient to omit the details of the electrodes and to merely indicate their position by a diagrammatic illustration ot the arc-directing solenoids which are arranged along the line of the seams. It will be understood by engineers, of course, that the plates which form the bottom of the tank are first welded together and then the side plates are set up and welded to each other and to the bottom plate, after which the top plate is vwelded'to the upper edge of the side wall. The pressure ot' the oil against the side walls increases from the top downward andthe plates which form the side walls are therefore, frequently made thicker for the lower courses.- By my method, however, the plates for the side walls may extend longitudinally when my method of welding an entire seam simultaneously is 'employed and consequently the plates may be rolled the desired rthickness at the base and tapering toward thetop as I have indicated at the left hand side of the figure. l

The electrical circuits are indicated generally in the diagram shown in Fig. 23 in which 35 is the main generator for supplying current to the welding arc, the lead 18 being connected to the main terminal 1G. in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 and the other lead 18 being connected to the work, which is shown as a pipe 37. The arcing current passes from the terminal 16 through the upper yoke bar 2 and the magnet cores 4 and pole pieces 3 to the copper arcing bar 9, from whence the arc is sprung to the joint or seam in the pipe to be welded. lt is customary to connect the positive terminal of the generator to the work and the negative terminal to the arcing electrode. The circulation of water through the pipe 14 andthe passageway 12 in the arcing bar and return pipe 15 carries ofll the surplus ol heat and maintains the integrity of the copper bar.

The arc is directed against the joint and automatically' moved along the line of the weld from one end of the arcing bar '9 to the other and back and forth in rapid succession by means of the magnetic field generated by the solenoids 7. One terminal of each of the solenoid coils is connected to a common lead 19 from the generator 40, an adjustable resistance 41 being interposed for the purpose of controlling the strength of the current and the resulting magnetic fields. lIhe other terminals of the solenoid coils are separately connected to pairs of contacts 43, to the rotaryarm 45 of which is connected to the other terminal ofthe generator 40. iVhile I have shown a separate gener-ttor to supply current for the solenoids, it will be understood that this current may be also taken from the generator 35. As the arm 45 is rotated by a suitable motor the solenoids will be energized in succession from one end to the other and back again continuously during the operation of the welding process. By connecting each solenoid to opposite contacts on each side of the center it will be observed that the rotating of the arm 45 effects the cyclic energizing of the solenoids in the manner specified. The magnetic field absolutely controls theposition of the are between the bar 9 and the work and compels 'the arc to travel along the line of the weld with the movement of the magnetic field. The arm 45 is made wide enough to lap over two contacts for an instant before breaking conplate`64 and at the other'end through usual if desired.

tact with the following contact so that two solenoids are conn in parallel alter` nately with the single vsolenoids in succession with the result that the arc islrst under one solenoid and then moves to a position intermediate that solenoid and the suc-i ceeding one, then under the succeedin Y solenoid and so on.` This produces a uni or'mmovement of the arc instead of an .intermittent movement which ensures the uniform heating of the welded parts. Y

The manner of arranging the controlling panels on the switch board is illustrated in 24. The rotary distributors connected wi the solenoids of theseveral electrodes are arranged at the bottom and their roi tary contact arms are mounted on shafts `i 47 carried in bearing plates 48 secured tothe back of the switch board panels as shown in Fig. 27. Each shaft 47 carries a. worm'gear 49 which is splined thereon and can The placed into or out of ment ina worm 50 carriediby the drivft51, providedwith a belt pulley 52 adapted-to be driven by an suitable motor. 'I'he distributer arm ma he thrown into or out of en rment wi the power shaft by shifting t worm gear 49'hy means of the lever 52 and operatmg rod 53, the latter projecting through the front of the panel. board and being` with an actuating handle or-thumb prece 54. 'Each panel board may be provided with an ammeter 56 to indicate the strength of the-welding current and also with the For the p of automatically latingthe :e l I ofthe arc' Vcurrent, pro-g vide each we ding circuit wlth aregulatingA resistance in the form of a car-bon` pile, the

thereon being controlled by a soleneid havingl means ,for recisely predeter- Imnrng 4its average. e resistance consists of a series of carbon plates 60, enclosed in a casing `61 provided with a suitable insulating 62, the circuit connections be ing made at one end through aconduetitrlilg e pl 65. The lever 7 0 to which the plunger 1 of jthe solenoid 72 is -pivotally secured, isloosely mounted on the rock-shaft 73 carried Yin suitable brackets which may depend from the yoke 74 of the solenord. The pull of the core 71 is exerted 1an adustable screw 76 carried by thelever'arr'mv 0 againstan arm 78 which is pinnedrto theshaft 73. As the shaft is rotated, pressure is 'exerted von the by means of a roller arm 79 whr isfaonleshaft73. l f Forum' uw. ofva ingthe'length of stroke of l A. lever an thereby the pressure exerted by the solenoid on the plunger 65, I provides cam disk secured to a graduated disk 81 and mounted on a spindle 82. The cam canbe movedto vary the periods. At the en `the switch is nmoved until its blades engage vthe contacts to`close the circuit through tanceiofi'tsfperimeter from the spindle. 82 by turning the thumb-piece 83, its positron being indicated by the scale reading lon the diskas it-moves .under the index pointer'85.

.The cam 'actsfas a stop against which Athe out'elzendof the-lever 70 strikes as .it is drawn upward bythe solenoid. vAs is well understood, the resistance of the carbon pile V decreases withthe`increase of pressure on the plunger. The exact amountl of `pressure Vto'produce the resistance required `in the cir` cuit to permita certain current Yto rflow throu h the welding arc can be-predeterminedgwith accu'rac y and the corre nding reading 'on the grav uated disk 81 which determines the position ,of the vcamsto 8()` also noted.YV A back stop 86 holds the liever when, the solenoid is deenergized.V

-I provide Sfor kan instantaneous chan e in the resistance of .the circuit to change rom the large `arnperageswelding current to the low amperage annealingcurrent by arranging the `rock-shaft 73 so that it may be actuf ated by separate solenoids, the leverv connections of the two solenoids being at opposite ends of therock-shaftpwith the roller arm acting on the plunger 65 inthe center. I vhave..designated the other solenoid and its' parts by thev same reference numerals primed.

v The switches 88 which control the circuits through the solenoids are shown at the top of' the several panels. I have shown each switch as operating singly but it isevif dent .that the)r may be Yconnected to be v Voperated simultaneously if desired.

The switch vis provided with a set of con- 'tacts 89 which control the solenoid 72 which vproduces the greater pressure on the carbon pile resistance and permits the heavy welding current `to flow through the welding circuit and with another Set of V :ontacts'90v which control the solenoid 72 operating with a. less pressure toincrease the resistance of the carbon pile and cut the current ,through the arc down to a low :age during the annealing period. As in icated contacts; 89, thereb, through the solenoi tainedzthrough the closing the circuit 72 andthis ismai'nreheating and welding d) of the welding period the'solenoids 72'; "It will be noted 'thatlthe ,contacts 90 are engaged bythe blades before they leave lthe contacts 89 sothat thecir- A The method tf. welding in accordinwithm'y invention` will be understood from the foregoing detailed description of the apin Fig. 25, the switchr blades Lfirst engage the i i cuit will be` maintained through `the arc -v passing from the welding stage to the anv paratus by which it may be carried out. If a joint or seam is to be welded in a pipe, for instance, a number of arc-controlling electrodes, such as shown in Figs. 3 or 5, are arranged over the line of the weld and sufiicient to cover its entire length, the electrodes being close together so that the arcs of adjacent electrodes lap over the same point but electrically separated. i

The switches 88 are moved into the first position closing the circuit through the sole.- noids 72 and establishing the arcs between the arcing bars of the several electrodes and the edges of the joint or seam to be welded. The cyclic movement of thelniagnetic field as the solenoids 7 are successively energized as the arms 45 of the distributers are rotated control the positions of the arcs and cause them to travel with the moving magnetic fields. The circuit connections are so arranged that the arcs always are the distance apart corresponding to the length of an electrode and occupy corresponding positions as they move synchronously. At the end of the welding period the switch blades are thrown into the second position to close the circuit through contacts 90 and bring the carbon resistances under the control ot' the solenoids 72', thereby reducing the current to low amperage during the annealing period. lVhile I have shown thel switch as manually operated, it is evident that they may be moved from first position to second position automatically at the end of the welding period if it is desiredrto do so.

At the end of the annealing period which completes the welding process, the, switch 88 is opened quickly to deenergize the solenoids, thereby releasing the pressure upon the carbon or graphite pile. The resistance of the pile thereupon increases and the arc dies down and is finally extinguished. The increase in resistance before the breaking of the arc serves not only to cause the arc to decrease gradually but also to prevent a rush of current as the arc breaks, thereby preventing any burning of the metal.

In some cases the joints or seams may be welded by bringing the abutting edges up to a Welding temperature until-they are in a molten condition so that an interpenetra? tion of the molecules is effected either with or without the use of pressure. In other cases 1t is necessary to supply a. filling metal to be reduced to a molten state by the are and .lncorporated with the molten edges of the jo1nt or seam. In my said prior appli- .catlon I have disclosed a means of supplymg fused globules of molten metal with the arc. In my present method I prefer to supply the filling metal in a very finely divided state or in a powdered form directly to the joint and subject it to the action of the welding arc simultaneously with the metals of the joint or seam to be welded.' In this manner there is no danger of the filling metal being burnt or otherwise chan ed in character or quality and the strngti of the resulting weld is not impaired. The filling met-al may be supplied to the joint either manually or automatically as desired and depending upon the conditions attending the work.

ln the above description of my invention I have referred mainly to the ilse of the are for weldi'ig but it is evident that it may be applied to the heating of met-als to any dcsired t-eniperaiure for various purposes as well as for welding them.

I claim 1. The process of welding metal with an electric arc, which comprises controlling the transverse travel of the electric Varc automatically through al plurality of solenoids operating successively.

2. The method of electric welding which comprises springing an arc from au elecfrode to the work or artic-le to be welded and subjecting said arc to the directing influence of a series of magnetic fields. generated in succession along the path of the projected weld.

3. The proccssof welding a. metal joint at one time regardless of its lengt-h or shape, which comprises subjecting the joint 'to a number of automatically controlled electric arcs operating simultaneously over different portions thereof. A

'4. The process of welding metal with long welds which consists in subjecting the metal along the path of the weld to an electric arc directed thereover by the action of a magnetic field moving' progressively along a magnetic medium.

5. The process of welding joints and seams of metal structures, which comprises supplying a filling of comminuted metal along the joint or seam and simultaneously bringing the entire length of the joint or scam to a welding temperature through the action of an electric arc moving continuously and rythmically thereover under the directing influence of a magnetic field traversing a stationary electrode.

6. The process of welding joints and seams of. metal structures, which comprises bringing the entire length of the joint or seam to a welding temperature through the action of an electric arc moving continuously and rythmically thereover under the directing influence of a magnetic field traversing a stationary electrode.

7. The process of electrically welding metal which comprises subjectingthe metal parts to be welded to the action of a constantly moving electric arc conveying a current sufficient to raise the metal to a welding temperature and after the Weld is effected, subjecting the welded parts to an arc at a lower temperature until the metal has cooled to a solid fixed condition.

i ne

8. The process of electrically welding metal which comprises subjecting the metal parts to be welded tothe action of a. constantly moving electric arc conveying a current sufficient to raise the metal to a. welding temperature and after the weld is effected, continuing the arc with a current of lower amperage until the metal has cooled to a red heat.

9. Apparatus vfor welding metal with an eleetricarc, which comprises a pressure cont trolled resistance in circuit with the elec-tric are` a plurality of magnetically actuated devices for exerting pressure upon said -resist- 13 ance, a. switch forcontrolling the circuits of said magnetic devices, and mechanical means for valying the pressure efl'ect of said devices.

1,0. Apparatus for welding metal with an electric arc. which comprises means for mage netically directing thevarc successively along an extended stationary the are is sprung to the work.

11..Apparatus for welding lnetal with an electric are which comprises means for regulating the current flowing through the arc, and a plurality of magnetically actuatedvdevices operating automatically upon said regulating means to cause predetermined cnrrent values to flow through the are.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1,1, and .means for kmanually varying the etlect ot said magnetically actuated devices.

13. In apparatus for electric welding. an arc-directing electrode, comprising an arcing har, a plurality of magnet coils extending along said bar, and means for successively energizing said magnet coils to therelo)7 direct an are along the bar.

14. lu apparatus forelectric welding` an. arcdirecting electrode` comprising an arcing bar, a plurality of electro-magnets extending alongsaid bar. and having their magnetic cores secured thereto, and means for sucdirect af; arc along the bar.

15. Apparatus as set forth 1n elann 13, and said bar having a passage provided wlth electrode from which cessivelv energizing said magnets to thereby7` inlet and outlet openings adapted to b e connected toa water supply .for the purpose of cooling the bar.

16. Apparatus yfor welding or heating metal with an electric arc. which comprises a pressure. controlled variable resistance medium in circuit with 'the electric are, a

.magnetically actuated device for exerting pressure upon said resistance medium, and a switch devicefor controlling the circuit of said magnetic deviccindependent of the circuit through the are, whereby the pressure on the resistance may be removed to increase the resistance prior to breaking the arc.

17. Apparatus for welding metal with an electric arc. which comprises a resistance. 'in circuit with the arc, n'lagnetically actuated mea-ns for varying said resistance, and mechanisin for controlling theoperatiou of said magnetically actuated means and causing it to vary said resistance in accordance with predetermined values, whereby the current through the are is definitely changed from one predetern'iined value to another 'predetermined value at successive stages in the operation. v

1S. In apparatus for electric heating and welding, an arc-directing appara-tus, comprising au electrode from which the welding arcextends to t he work` a magnetizing coil having a pole-piecel ot magnetic material operating to direct the arc projected from said electrode and means for fluidcooling said pole-piece..

1S). Apparatus lfor heating and welding metal with an electric arc which comprises stationary magnetic means for directing the arc rogressivcly along the metal.

Q0. Apparatusl for heating and welding metal with an electric are which comprises arc-directing' electrodes. a plurality oli' solenoids adjacent said electrodes. and means for successively energizing said solenoids to therel-iy direct an arc progressively along the metal.

In testimony whereof I ath): my signatureu ANDRElV SMTH. 

